National Security Council

The National Security Council (NSC) is the main forum for collective discussion of the Government’s objectives for national security and about how best to deliver them in the current financial climate.

A key purpose of the Council is to ensure that Ministers consider national security in the round and in a strategic way. The Council meets weekly and is chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Structure of the NSC

to consider Threats, Hazards, Resilience and Contingencies including a restricted group to consider intelligence matters

to consider Nuclear Deterrence and Security and

the UK’s relationship with emerging international powers

Their remit is to examine more specific national security areas in which a range of relevant Departments participate.

Additionally there are associated cross-Government senior official groups that support and inform these ministerial level structures. Principal amongst these is the Permanent Secretaries Group chaired by the National Security Adviser, Sir Peter Ricketts. The National Security Adviser also acts as secretary to the NSC.